𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐎𝐑 𝐃𝐔𝐑𝐁𝐈𝐍 𝐂𝐋𝐀𝐈𝐌𝐒 𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐑𝐄𝐅𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐒 𝐓𝐎 𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐌𝐏 𝐈𝐍 𝐄𝐏𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐈𝐍 𝐅𝐈𝐋𝐄𝐒 𝐋𝐈𝐊𝐄𝐋𝐘 𝐑𝐄𝐌𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐃 𝐁𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐁𝐈

Senator Dick Durbin, Eptein & Trump, President Donald Trump

July 19, 2025~Several sources

Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) is raising serious concerns over the Justice Department’s handling of evidence related to Jeffrey Epstein, following allegations that FBI agents were instructed to flag any mention of former President Donald Trump during a document review earlier this year.

In a letter sent Friday to Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel, and Deputy Director Dan Bongino, Durbin demanded explanations regarding what he called a “deeply suspicious” process. According to information received by Durbin’s office, roughly 1,000 FBI personnel were placed on 24-hour shifts in March to review about 100,000 Epstein-related documents. These agents were allegedly told to identify and set aside any materials referencing Trump.

“This effort raises serious questions about whether political considerations have influenced the review and release—or suppression—of critical records,” Durbin wrote.

The Illinois Senator, who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, also questioned who gave the directive to flag Trump’s name, what happened to the flagged documents, and whether other public figures were similarly singled out.

Durbin criticized the makeup of the review team, stating that many of the FBI agents brought in from the New York Field Office lacked the training necessary to properly handle sensitive information related to victims and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) procedures.

Despite the extensive manpower, Durbin noted that it took the Justice Department more than three additional months to declare that there was “no incriminating client list” in the reviewed files. He’s now asking for a detailed account of how that conclusion was reached and whether it aligns with what FBI agents actually found during the review.

The controversy comes as Attorney General Bondi faces increasing pressure to release more of the Epstein-related material. Following a directive from Trump, who is now back in office, Bondi said she would request the unsealing of additional grand jury transcripts. Trump posted on Truth Social that he wants “any and all pertinent Grand Jury testimony” made public and accused past Democratic administrations of covering up the truth.

Some critics, however, say the grand jury material may not contain the evidence the public expects. Representative Dan Goldman (D-NY), a former federal prosecutor, dismissed Bondi’s move as a distraction, noting that the more revealing documents likely include interviews, seized devices, travel logs, and internal communications.

Durbin’s letter also referenced a 2003 birthday album created for Epstein that reportedly included a lewd letter signed by Trump. The letter allegedly featured Trump’s signature and a drawing of a naked woman, ending with the line: “Happy Birthday—and may every day be another wonderful secret.” Trump has denied writing it and threatened legal action against The Wall Street Journal, which first reported on it.

In addition, Durbin asked whether Bondi, Patel, or Bongino had personally reviewed the Epstein files, and whether there exists a log of records that mention Trump. If such a log exists, he requested that it be sent to the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Office of the Inspector General.

Durbin also questioned conflicting statements regarding the so-called “client list.” Earlier this year, Bondi said the list was on her desk awaiting review. But a recent DOJ memo claimed that no such list exists. “Either Bondi was lying then, or the Justice Department is lying now,” Durbin wrote.

Finally, Durbin raised concerns about the authenticity of surveillance footage released by the administration showing the outside of Epstein’s jail cell on the night of his death in 2019. According to Durbin, metadata in the video suggests the footage may have been altered before release.

“The American people deserve to know the truth about one of the most disturbing sex trafficking investigations in our nation’s history,” Durbin concluded, requesting answers to his questions by August 1.

Jeffrey Epstein, a financier with ties to prominent figures worldwide, died in a Manhattan jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. His death was ruled a suicide. His associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, was convicted in 2021 and is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence.

With bipartisan calls in Congress to fully release all Epstein-related records, Durbin’s letter signals a shift from simply demanding transparency to investigating whether the review process itself has been compromised.